AARP-Defensive Driving Instructor
RSVP volunteers, who have successfully completed the AARP Mature Driving Instructor training, conduct defensive driving courses throughout Madison County, each month, consisting of two-4 hour classes. One of the instructors will also serve as the Assistant State Coordinator to organize and manage the Madison/Cortland program. Call for information on next available training.
Adult Literacy Tutors
RSVP volunteers are recruited to work one-on-one with adult students to develop basic functional literacy skills, assess student’s reading levels and jointly establish a functional literacy goal to meet the individual’s special needs.
Adult Education Program
This unique volunteer opportunity is through a collaboration with Colgate University’s Upstate Institute and the community to provide adults with ongoing education for the enrichment of their lives in a diversity of fields. RSVP volunteers can act as course instructors or assist with publicity and marketing.
Ambulance Crews and Dispatchers
RSVP volunteers help act as dispatchers, serve as ambulance drivers, and do administrative work to assist with the operation of 24-hour ambulance service programs.
Blood Drives County-Wide
RSVP volunteers are part of Madison-Oneida Red Cross blood bank team. The Red Cross will provide any training that the volunteers may need to work at the blood drives. The volunteers provide staff support by assisting in these positions: reception and donor processing, canteen operator, and donor recruitment via phone solicitation.
Bone Builders
RSVP volunteers lead groups by demonstrating and leading participants through exercises. Volunteers assist in the management of paperwork related to the program and assist with setting up the exercise sessions.
BRiDGES Substance Abuse Prevention
RSVP volunteers assist with Strengthening Families and other programs by setting up meals, joining participants at meals, and generally supporting the interactions of the participants with the BRiDGES staff.
Volunteers may also join the Drug-Free Task Force. The Drug-Free Task Force is responsible for environmental strategies that focus on regulations, availability and norms. Participants have the opportunity to:
- Write letters to newspaper editors, legislators, and decision-makers
- Adovcate with store managers to improve merchandising practices for tobacco and alcohol
- Ask local organizations to make tobacco-free (no smoking) policies
- Organize Safe Pill Drop-Off events
- Help organize media campaigns
- Run awareness events to collect stories for our tobacco victims scrapbook
Chenango Water Exercise Program
RSVP volunteers assist with Chenango Water Exercise program classes and supervise individual workouts.
Community Action Partnership Mentoring Program
RSVP volunteers attend training sponsored by Community Action Partnership, then meet weekly with youth forming a one-to-one mentoring relationship. Mentors share activities, experience, help with homework and provide general guidance to youth needing positive adult role modeling.
Community Gardens
RSVP volunteers help plan, plant and harvest a community garden at Caz Cares food pantry in Cazenovia.
Community-Based Volunteer Programs
RSVP volunteers serve in a variety of programs that benefit the community, including the Red Cross, Cooperative Extension, the local 4-H programs and RSVP’s own community based activities. Volunteers provide office support and work on special events. Others serve as Board, Advisory council, and Committee members.
Companionship/Outreach
RSVP volunteers provide friendly telephone calls to senior citizens in Madison County that are referred by Office for the Aging outreach workers. Sponsored by Madison County Office for the Aging and Crouse Community Center Adult Day Services.
Disaster Preparedness and Relief
RSVP volunteers assist in keeping county residents prepared for natural and other disasters and address safety issues by participating in an intergenerational teaching program. Volunteers teach a disaster preparedness curriculum to high school students who in turn, teach elementary students. RSVP Volunteers also attend Madison County Citizen’s Corps disaster preparedness committee meeting on a quarterly basis and help disseminate information throughout the county.
Elementary Tutoring
RSVP volunteers work one-on-one or with small groups of students in an effort to encourage and enhance reading. Volunteers also assist with special classroom projects as needed.
Food Pantries
RSVP volunteers perform the duties necessary to sustain the operations of the emergency food pantries, including unloading deliveries, stocking shelves, registering and servicing clients, and packaging and serving food orders and record keeping.
Habitat For Humanity
RSVP volunteers help with many aspects of building a new home for a deserving family. You can swing a hammer, lift materials or help with food preparation. This is truly an exciting opportunity. Volunteers are needed!
Hospitals
RSVP volunteers staff information desks, answer phones, deliver mail, flowers, reading materials, television service and friendly socialization for patients.
Hospice
RSVP volunteers can serve at either of two hospice sites that serve Madison County. Hospice of Central New York in Liverpool serves the Western side of the county and Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc of New Hartford serves the Eastern side. A monthly support group for bereaved family members is offered by Hospice of CNY on the 4th Thursday of each month 11 am – 1pm lunch included at the Cazenovia Public Library.
Libraries
RSVP volunteers staff the circulation desks, answer phones, provide programming, storytelling and other childrens special programming, shelve books and help with special events and fund raising.
Museums
RSVP volunteers sit as board members, provide management services, write grants, solicit materials for collections, recruit other volunteers, run fund raisers, and serve as docents to community museums.
Ombudsman/Resident Advocates
RSVP volunteers serve as resident advocates at their assigned long term care residential facility. Volunteers assist residents with their problems and take a proactive role in advocating for residents’ rights in long term care facilities.
Platoon Booster
RSVP volunteers, collect needed items to mail to troops stationed in Afghanistan. The project strives to provide a better deployment quality of life by sending cards, letters and care packages to lift the morale of Troops as they serve far from home. Volunteers meet monthly to pack boxes and share information about their experience as Platoon Boosters.
Senior Citizens Assistance
RSVP volunteers serve in community programs that provide activities, office assistance, companionship, education, and socialization for the county’s senior population.
SNACK / Congregate Meals
RSVP volunteers help welcome participants, prepare the congregate meal site, serve the meal delivered from the central kitchen and clean up afterwards. Sponsored by Madison County Office for the Aging.
Tax Preparers
RSVP volunteer counselors assist seniors in Madison County with preparation of federal and state income tax forms and related documents.
Thrift Stores
RSVP volunteers solicit and receive clothing, sort, price and display donated merchandise, assist customers and operate sales desks and maintain records.
Transportation Drivers to Medical Appointments
RSVP volunteers serve as drivers and escorts for ambulatory county residents age 60+ to and from medical appointments. Volunteers provide door-to-door service and remain with the client during the appointment. Sponsored by Madison County Office for the Aging.
Victim /Witness Assistance
RSVP volunteers help provide coverage for a 24-hour Victims of Violence hotline. Special training required.
Weather Reporters
RSVP volunteers collect precipitation and temperature data which is supplied to the National Weather Service and also to the local Cooperative Extension office to provide environmental data to the local farming community.
